Performance of artificial intelligence chatbots in sleep medicine certification board exams: ChatGPT versus Google Bard

PURPOSE

To conduct a comparative performance evaluation of GPT-3.5, GPT-4 and Google Bard in self-assessment questions at the level of the American Sleep Medicine Certification Board Exam.

METHODS

A total of 301 text-based single-best-answer multiple choice questions with four answer options each, across 10 categories, were included in the study and transcribed as inputs for GPT-3.5, GPT-4 and Google Bard. The first output responses generated were selected and matched for answer accuracy against the gold-standard answer provided by the American Academy of Sleep Medicine for each question. A global score of 80% and above is required by human sleep medicine specialists to pass each exam category.

RESULTS

GPT-4 successfully achieved the pass mark of 80% or above in five of the 10 exam categories, including the Normal Sleep and Variants Self-Assessment Exam (2021), Circadian Rhythm Sleep-Wake Disorders Self-Assessment Exam (2021), Insomnia Self-Assessment Exam (2022), Parasomnias Self-Assessment Exam (2022) and the Sleep-Related Movements Self-Assessment Exam (2023). GPT-4 demonstrated superior performance in all exam categories and achieved a higher overall score of 68.1% when compared against both GPT-3.5 (46.8%) and Google Bard (45.5%), which was statistically significant (p value < 0.001). There was no significant difference in the overall score performance between GPT-3.5 and Google Bard.

CONCLUSIONS

Otolaryngologists and sleep medicine physicians have a crucial role through agile and robust research to ensure the next generation AI chatbots are built safely and responsibly.

SLEEP-GOAL: A multicenter success criteria outcome study on 302 obstructive sleep apnoea (OSA) patients

OBJECTIVE

To demonstrate SLEEP-GOAL as a more holistic and comprehensive success criterion for Obstructive Sleep Apnoea (OSA) treatment.

METHODS

A prospective 7-country clinical trial of 302 OSA patients, who met the selection criteria, and underwent nose, palate and/or tongue surgery. Pre- and post-operative data were recorded and analysed based on both the Sher criteria (apnoea hypopnea index, AHI reduction 50% and <20) and the SLEEP-GOAL.

RESULTS

There were 229 males and 73 females, mean age of 42.4±17.3 years, mean BMI 27.9±4.2. The mean VAS score improved from 7.7±1.4 to 2.5±1.7 (p<0.05), mean Epworth score (ESS) improved from 12.2±4.6 to 4.9±2.8 (p<0.05), mean body mass index (BMI) decreased from 27.9±4.2 to 26.1±3.7 (p>0.05), gross weight decreased from 81.9±14.3kg to 76.6±13.3kg. The mean AHI decreased 33.4±18.9 to 14.6±11.0 (p<0.05), mean lowest oxygen saturation (LSAT) improved 79.4±9.2% to 86.9±5.9% (p<0.05), and mean duration of oxygen <90% decreased from 32.6±8.9 minutes to 7.3±2.1 minutes (p<0.05). The overall success rate (302 patients) based on the Sher criteria was 66.2%. Crosstabulation of respective major/minor criteria fulfilment, based on fulfilment of two major and two minor or better, the success rate (based on SLEEP-GOAL) was 69.8%. Based solely on the Sher criteria, 63 patients who had significant blood pressure reduction, 29 patients who had BMI reduction and 66 patients who had clinically significant decrease in duration of oxygen <90% would have been misclassified as "failures".

CONCLUSION

AHI as a single parameter is unreliable. Assessing true success outcomes of OSA treatment, requires comprehensive and holistic parameters, reflecting true end-organ injury/function; the SLEEP-GOAL meets these requirements.

Predictors of difficulty in intubation in patients with obstructive sleep apnoea

OBJECTIVE

To evaluate predictors of difficult intubation in patients with obstructive sleep apnoea (OSA).

METHODOLOGY

Prospective series of 405 OSA patients (350 males/55 females) who had upper airway surgery. Procedures included functional endoscopic sinus surgery, septoplasty, turbinate reduction, palate/tonsil surgery, and/or tongue base surgery. Intubation difficulty (ID) was assessed using Mallampati grade, Laryngoscopic grade (Cormack and Lehane), and clinical parameters including BMI, neck circumference, thyromental distance, jaw adequacy, neck movements and glidescope grading.

RESULTS

Mean age was 41.6 years old; mean BMI 26.6; mean neck circumference 44.5cm; mean Apnea Hypopnea Index (AHI) was 25.0; and mean LSAT 82%. The various laryngeal grades (based on Cormack and Lehane), grade 1 - 53 patients (12.9%), grade 2A - 127 patients (31.0%), grade 2B - 125 patients (30.5%), grade 3 - 93 patients (22.7%) and grade 4 - seven patients (1.7%); hence, 24.4% had difficulties in intubation. Parameters that adversely affected intubation were, age of the patient, opening of mouth, retrognathia, overbite, overjet, limited neck extension, thyromental distance, Mallampati grade, and macroglossia (p<0.001). Body mass index (BMI) (p=0.087), neck circumference (p=0.645), neck aches (p=0.728), jaw aches (p=0.417), tonsil size (p=0.048), and AHI (p=0.047) had poor correlation with intubation. BMI-adjusted for Asians and Caucasians, showed that Asians were more likely to have difficulties in intubation (adjusted OR = 4.6 (95%Confidence Interval: 1.05 to 20.06) (p=0.043), compared to the Caucasian group.

CONCLUSION

This study illustrates that difficult intubation can be predicted pre-surgery in order to avert any anaesthetic morbidity.

Palate surgery for obstructive sleep apnea: a 17-year meta-analysis

OBJECTIVES

Systematic review of palate surgery for the treatment of OSA.

METHODS

Independent searches to identify publications relevant to OSA treatment and upper airway palate surgery. All relevant studies published between January 2001 and February 2018 were included. Inclusion criteria were adult patients, documented airway evaluation methods and absent hypopharyngeal collapse. Outcomes included success rates of treatment, AHI, Epworth scale, QOL and snoring VAS.

RESULTS

Fifty-nine papers with a total of 2715 patients, UPPP accounted for 16.7% of all the procedures. Evident differentiation progressing from 2001 to 2018, from 2001 to 2010, the percentage of UPPP procedures were 25.67%, from 2011 to 2018, there were only 12.6% of UPPP procedures. The average follow up was 8.18 months. Meta-analysis on the AHI change for all procedures, showed the fixed effect AHI per follow-up (FU) month change was 1.45 (95% CI 1.33, 1.8), p < 0.001; while for ESS, the fixed effect AHI per FU month change was 0.61 (95% CI 0.56, 0.66), p < 0.001. The mean decrease in AHI was from 35.66 to 13.91 (p < 0.001). The mean decrease in ESS was from 11.65 to 5.08 (p < 0.001). The mean AHI change was 19.9 (p < 0.001). The mean ESS change was 5.8 (p < 0.001). The overall pooled success rate was 67.5%. Meta-analysis of the procedures, showed that the respective mean AHI reduction was 24.7 for the anterior palatoplasty (p = 0.015), 19.8 for the lateral/expansion pharyngoplasty (p = 0.046), and 17.2 for the uvulopalatopharyngoplasty (p = 0.360).

CONCLUSIONS

Better understanding of the upper airway and objective airway evaluation diagnostic techniques and innovative palate surgeries have improved success rates of OSA surgery.

Anterior palatoplasty in the treatment of obstructive sleep apnoea - a systemic review

This study seeks to determine the objective and subjective success rates of anterior palatoplasty and its variants for the treatment of obstructive sleep apnoea (OSA). A systematic review with two independent searches of Medline, PubMed, Cochrane Library and Evidence Based Medicine Reviews was performed to identify publications relevant to OSA and anterior palatoplasty. All relevant studies published before 30 June 2015 were included. Six studies were included in the systematic review. The numbers of patients in each paper ranged from 13 to 77 (total = 240), and mean age ranged from 21 to 51 years. Substantial and consistent improvement in polysomnography (PSG) outcomes were observed in patients after the anterior palatoplasty, with or without multilevel surgery. The results showed that the anterior palatoplasty technique provides significantly improvement in the post-operative Apnoea-Hypopnea Index. The mean pre-operative AHI (in the 6 papers) improved from 16.3 to 7.1, the snore visual analogue scale improved from 7.5 to 3.1 and the Epworth score reduced from 11.3 to 7.3 post-operatively. The overall pro-rated pooled success rate for all the patients was 72.5%, with a mean follow-up of 17.3 months. Anterior palatoplasty is an effective option in the management of patients with mild to moderate OSA.

Food allergy and allergic rhinitis in 435 asian patients - A descriptive review

OBJECTIVE

To describe the prevalence of food allergy in Asian patients with allergic rhinitis.

STUDY DESIGN

A non-randomized prospectively collected patients over a three year period, with complaints of nose congestion, rhinorrhea and/or nasal discharge.

RESULTS

There were 435 patients enrolled, 213 children and 222 adults. The children group had a high prevalence of allergen specific IgE to Dermatophagoides pteryonysinus (70%), Dermatophagoides farina (69%), and Blomia tropicalis (55%); followed by dogs (32%), cats (19%) and cockroaches (19%). In the children food allergy category, the top three allergens were egg white (54%), milk (31%) and soya bean (13%). The adult group had results of Dermatophagoides pteryonysinus (71%), Dermatophagoides farina (72%), and Blomia tropicalis (59%); the adult food allergy category, the top 3 allergens were egg white (13%), milk (6%) and soya bean (5%). There was a statistically significant difference in the child and adult group for Dust, D. pteryonysinus, D. farina, B.tropicalis, egg white, wheat, gluten and soya bean. In the age specific child groups, there was an increased in egg food allergy levels, with a peak at the age of five-nine years old and decreasing thereafter (p=0.04). In the children group, the mean Total Nasal Symptom Score (TNSS) was 10.3 (range of 7 to 13); the adult group was similar, with a mean TNSS of 9.8 (range 5 to 12).

CONCLUSION

The prevalence of food allergy in paediatric patients with allergic rhinitis is fairly high and should be considered when treating these children.

[Regulatory analysis of hypoxia on innate immunity of human corneal epithelium]

Objective: To investigate the role of hypoxia on the regulation of innate immunity of human corneal epithelium. Methods: Telomerase-immortalized human epithelial cells (THCEs) were incubated under normoxia (21% O₂) or hypoxic (1% O₂) conditions respectively. After 6, 12, 24, 48 h culture, the mRNA and protein levels of toll like receptor 4 (TLR4) were measured by real-time polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) and Western blot analysis. After 24 h culture, THCEs of each group were challenged respectively with TLR4 ligand lipopolysaccharide (LPS) (1 μg/ml) for 6 h. RT-PCR was used to assess the mRNA level of myeloid differentiation factor 88 (MyD88), interleukin(IL)6, IL-8 and tumor necrosis factor α (TNF-α). Western blot was used to examine the protein level of inhibitor of nuclear factor kappa-B α (IκBα) and phosphorylated IκBα (p-IκBα). Enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) was used to detect the secretion of the inflammatory cytokines IL-6, IL-8 and TNF-α. Results: The results of RT-PCR and Western blot analysis showed that the expression of TLR4 downregulated 90% and 55% respectively after hypoxic exposure for 48 h. Hypoxia also inhibited LPS-induced secretion of IL-6, IL-8, TNF-α, expression of MyD88 and activation of NF-κB. The mRNA level of MyD88 was diminished 63%, and the protein expression of p-IκBα was also lowered. Meanwhile, the secretions of IL-6, IL-8 and TNF-α under hypoxia were reduced (31%, 55% and 50% respectively). Conclusion: Hypoxia attenuated immune and inflammatory response of the cornea epithelium by suppressing TLR4 signaling, and could enhance cell susceptibility to microorganism infection.

[Study on the susceptibility of human corneal epithelial cells to Acanthamoeba in a hypoxia condition]

Objective: To investigate the regulation mechanism of Acanthamoeba-induced immune responses of human corneal epithelial cells in a hypoxia condition. Methods: Telomerase-immortalized human epithelial cells (THCEs) challenged with Acanthamoeba (1×10⁶/ml) were incubated under normoxic (21% O₂) (control group) or hypoxic (1% O₂) (experiment group) conditions respectively. The mRNA of toll-like receptor (TLR4), myeloid differentiation factor 88 (MyD88), nuclear factor kappa-B (NF-κB), tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α), interleukin-8 (IL-8), interferon-β (IFN-β), and the protein level of TLR4, inhibitor of nuclear factor kappa-Bα (IκBα), phosphorylated extracellular-signal related kinase 1/2 (p-ERK1/2) and phosphorylated IκBα (p-IκBα) were detected. Enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) was used to detect the secretion of the inflammatory cytokines (TNF-α, IL-8 and IFN-β). Results: The mRNA levels of Acanthamoeba-induced TLR4, MyD88, NF-κB, TNF-α, IFN-β and IL-8 in THCEs under hypoxia was down-regulated by 47%, 41%, 45%, 53%, 36% and 50% respectively, compared to control group. And the protein levels of p-IκBα and p-ERK1/2 were significantly down-regulated by 56% and 55%, respectively, while the protein expression of IκBα was increased. The secretions of TNF-α, IL-8 and IFN-β under hypoxia were reduced by 46%, 28% and 35%, respectively. Conclusion: Hypoxia might attenuated the inflammatory response of the human corneal epithelial cells against Acanthamoeba infection by suppressing TLR4 signaling.

A case of ear canal black pigment foreign body mimicking a melanoma

Melanoma of the ear canal is extremely rare; due to its hidden area, most would present late in their history. We present the first case reported, of a black pigment foreign body mimicking a melanoma in the external auditory canal. A 14 year old Chinese male presented with right sided otalgia and itch. Otoscopic examination revealed an irregular black naevus in the right auditory canal. An intraoperative excision showed a black pigment foreign body giant cell reaction. Clinicians should be aware of the possibility of a foreign body granuloma of the ear canal that might mimic a melanoma.

Haemangioma of the uvula causing loud habitual snoring--a rare entity

Mucosal haemangiomas are unusual and typically involve frequently traumatised areas such as the lip, buccal mucosa and lateral borders of the tongue. Uvular haemangioma is rare and to our knowledge, has never been reported to cause obstructive sleep apnoea (OSA). We report an unusual case of uvular haemangioma causing loud habitual snoring and symptoms suggestive of OSA. This case report illustrates a rare cause of OSA and demonstrates the efficacy of surgery for obvious obstructive lesions of the pharynx.

Expansion SphincterPlasty & Multilevel OSA Surgery

Objective

To review multilevel surgery involving the Expansion SphincterPlasty (ESP) with tongue base surgery in the treatment of severe OSA.

Methods

Prospective non-randomized collection of 39 consecutive patients with severe OSA. Patients were >18 years old, type II Fujita with lateral pharyngeal wall collapse, small tonsils, BMI <30. Mean follow-up was 9.3 months.

Results

All 39 patients were male, with mean age of 44.1 years (range of 26 to 49 years), mean BMI was 25.7 (range of 21.1 to 29.1). 22 patients had ESP/Hyoid/RF Tongue Base procedure, while 17 patients had the ESP/Hyoid/Tongue Suspension procedure. The mean pre-operative AHI for the entire group improved from 56.3 ± 18.1 to 19.2 ± 14.0 postoperatively. There was a greater AHI improvement in the ESP/Hyoid/TS group than the ESP/Hyoid/RFBOT group. The 17 patients in the ESP/Hyoid/TS group had a mean pre-operative AHI that improved from 52.2 ± 18.7 to 18.0 ± 12.8 (p<0.05), compared to the ESP/Hyoid/RFBOT group, where AHI improved from 48.1 ± 17.9 to 25.6 ± 17.1 (p<0.05). Oxygen saturations also improved in both groups. When using the success criteria of a reduction in 50% of the pre-operative AHI and an AHI <20, the overall success rate for both groups was 71.2%. The success rate for the ESP/Hyoid/TS group was 74.8%, while the success rate for the ESP/Hyoid/RFBOT group was 67.5%.

Conclusions

The use of the ESP with tongue surgery is effective in the management of patients with severe OSA.

Identifying patients who need close monitoring during and after upper airway surgery for obstructive sleep apnoea

Potentially serious complications have been documented in patients undergoing upper airway surgery for obstructive sleep apnoea (OSA). Consensus is lacking regarding peri- and post-operative monitoring and identification of those patients likely to suffer post-operative complications. This retrospective review of 118 patients treated and 152 surgical procedures undertaken, from January 1998 to December 2003, addresses this issue. The overall peri- and post-operative complication rate was 13.8 per cent, with one patient experiencing upper airway compromise, five patients experiencing post-operative oxygen desaturation within 150 minutes of extubation, six patients experiencing persistent hypertension and four patients suffering secondary haemorrhage. All patients were treated accordingly and recovered well, with no mortality. From these results, it is concluded that patients with severe OSA (apnoea-hypopnoea index > 60 and lowest oxygen saturation < 80 per cent) are at higher risk of post-operative oxygen desaturation. Post-operative hypertension is more likely in patients with a prior history of hypertension. Routine post-operative admission to an intensive care unit for all OSA patients is unnecessary (including patients with severe OSA). However, all patients with OSA should be closely monitored in the post-anaesthesia care area for at least three hours after surgery; based on the outcome of this period and the clinical judgment of the clinician, the patient can then be observed overnight in either the high dependency unit or on a general ward. Patients with mild OSA may be admitted to the 23-hour ambulatory unit post-operatively. Use of continuous positive airway pressure in the immediate post-operative period can reduce the incidence of post-operative respiratory compromise and complications and is strongly recommended.

Kimura's Disease of the Parapharyngeal Space

Kimura's disease is a fairly uncommon inflammatory condition of unknown etiology. It classically presents in young Asian males as tumorlike subcutaneous nodules in the head and neck with associated lymphadenopathy, peripheral eosinophilia, and an elevated serum IgE level. Kimura's disease affects the subcutaneous tissues, salivary glands, and lymph nodes; less common sites in the head and neck include the eyelid and tympanic membrane. We report a case of Kimura's disease of the parapharyngeal space in a 42-year-old Chinese woman. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first report of Kimura's disease at this site.

Kimura's disease of the parapharyngeal space

Kimura's disease is a fairly uncommon inflammatory condition of unknown etiology. It classically presents in young Asian males as tumorlike subcutaneous nodules in the head and neck with associated lymphadenopathy, peripheral eosinophilia, and an elevated serum IgE level. Kimura's disease affects the subcutaneous tissues, salivary glands, and lymph nodes; less common sites in the head and neck include the eyelid and tympanic membrane. We report a case of Kimura's disease of the parapharyngeal space in a 42-year-old Chinese woman. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first report of Kimura's disease at this site.

Migration of a foreign body in the maxillary sinus illustrating natural mucociliary action

We present a case of a foreign body which migrated to the maxillary ostia by mucociliary action from its initial location on the floor of the maxillary sinus where it was traumatically introduced. This report illustrates that a powerful mechanism of mucociliary action can cause relatively heavy objects within the maxillary sinus to migrate naturally to the sinus ostia against gravitational force.

Migration of a foreign body in the maxillary sinus illustrating natural mucociliary action

We present a case of a foreign body which migrated to the maxillary ostia by mucociliary action from its initial location on the floor of the maxillary sinus where it was traumatically introduced. This report illustrates that a powerful mechanism of mucociliary action can cause relatively heavy objects within the maxillary sinus to migrate naturally to the sinus ostia against gravitational force.

Thoracic ranula: an extremely rare case

We present the first case of a thoracic ranula which originated from the left submandibular area extending into the subcutaneous tissue planes of the anterior chest wall. The patient had a history of surgery for a previous benign left salivary gland cyst, and presented with an enlarging mass in the anterior chest wall. This was a recurrence of a ranula, with an extension into the anterior thoracic wall. The thoracic ranula was excised, together with ipsilateral sublingual and submandibular glands, via a transcervical approach. No recurrence was detected over a 3-year post-operative follow up.

CSF otorrhea complicating temporal bone osteoradionecrosis in a patient with nasopharyngeal carcinoma

A 44-year-old Chinese man with a history of nasopharyngeal carcinoma that was treated with radiotherapy presented with fluid in the middle ear. We performed a myringotomy and subsequently made a diagnosis of cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) leakage secondary to osteoradionecrosis of the temporal bone. To the best of our knowledge, this is only the second reported case of an otogenic CSF leak resulting from osteoradionecrosis of the temporal bone. This case highlights the controversial role of myringotomy in the management of CSF otorrhea.

CSF Otorrhea Complicating Temporal Bone Osteoradionecrosis in a Patient with Nasopharyngeal Carcinoma

A 44-year-old Chinese man with a history of nasopharyngeal carcinoma that was treated with radiotherapy presented with fluid in the middle ear. We performed a myringotomy and subsequently made a diagnosis of cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) leakage secondary to osteoradionecrosis of the temporal bone. To the best of our knowledge, this is only the second reported case of an otogenic CSF leak resulting from osteoradionecrosis of the temporal bone. This case highlights the controversial role of myringotomy in the management of CSF otorrhea.

Paediatric obstructive sleep apnoea: is a polysomnogram always necessary?

Obstructive sleep apnoea (OSA) is a common entity in children, most present with sleep disturbances such as snoring, choking during sleep, enuresis, restless sleep, or apnoeic spells. Other symptoms include poor school performance, hyperactivity, failure to thrive, heart failure and cor pulmonale. Most authors would concur that the polysomnogram (PSG) is the gold standard for the diagnosis of OSA, and that adenotonsillectomy is the surgical procedure of choice, with high curative rates and relatively low morbidity. Close post-operative monitoring of all children with OSA cannot be over-emphasized. The focus has been, traditionally, to anticipate post-operative airway and respiratory complications in this group of children. We present 73 children with clinical OSA and 36 children with proven OSA on PSG, with only one child having respiratory complications (mixed apnoea), and all with uneventful recovery. In view of our low complication rates, low post-operative morbidity, cost and facility factor, the need for a mandatory overnight PSG pre-operatively is questioned, and clinical criteria for performing a PSG preoperatively are suggested.

Castleman's disease of the neck: a description of four cases on contrast-enhanced CT

Castleman's disease of the neck is an uncommon benign lymphoproliferative disease that usually presents as homogeneously enhancing enlarged lymph nodes on contrast-enhanced CT scan. We described the appearance of four confirmed cases of Castleman's disease of the neck on contrast-enhanced CT scan. Three of these presented as a solitary enhancing lymph node and the fourth case presented with multiple bilateral enhancing lymph nodes. A central non-enhancing area was present in two of the three cases that presented as a solitary node. Pathological correlation of one of these cases showed that this was due to a central fibrotic scar. One of the enhancing nodes in the fourth case with multiple and bilateral lymphadenopathy also contained a central non-enhancing area. We would like to propose that if a central non-enhancing scar is observed in an enhancing lymph node in the neck on CT scan, Castleman's disease should be considered as a possible diagnosis.

Bipolar clavicular injury

While clavicular injuries are fairly common, bipolar clavicular injuries are not. They may involve dislocations at both ends of the clavicle, or a fracture at one end and a dislocation at the other. We present two cases; a patient with a bipolar clavicular dislocation, and another with a fracture in both medial and lateral ends of the clavicle with anterior dislocation of the sternoclavicular joint. Both were treated conservatively, with fairly good range of motion and return to normal activity.

Pancreatitis leading to retroperitoneal fibrosis and ureteric obstruction

Two patients who had acute pancreatitis subsequently developed characteristic appearance on urography of smooth extrinsic narrowing and medial deviation of the right ureter suggestive of retroperitoneal fibrosis (RPF) resulting in ureteric obstruction. Both these patients had clinical, biochemical and sonographic evidence of acute pancreatitis. CT scan of the abdomen performed on the second patient also documented acute pancreatitis. Intravenous urograms were consistent with ureteric obstruction due to retroperitoneal fibrosis. Both cases were treated conservatively. They were well after an average of 20 months. These 2 cases illustrate the uncommon association between pancreatitis and RPF.

Metachronous adenocarcinoma of the maxillary sinuses: a rare entity

Malignant tumours of the nasal cavities and paranasal sinuses are uncommon. They constitute less than one per cent of all tumours and less than three per cent of head and neck tumours. Although multiple primary carcinomas of the aerodigestive tract are commonly reported, metachronous maxillary sinus carcinomas are rare. To date, all of these cases reported are of squamous cell origin. The incidence of metachronous maxillary carcinoma involving both sinuses is in the range of 1.4 per cent amongst patients with maxillary carcinoma. We present the first reported case, to our knowledge, of a patient with metachronous adenocarcinoma of the maxillary sinus.

A Rare Case of a Foreign Body Migration from the Upper Digestive Tract to the Subcutaneous Neck

Ingested foreign bodies are not unusual in Singapore. The most common of these objects are fish bones, which typically become lodged in the tonsils or in the base of the tongue. We report a rare case of an ingested fish bone that migrated from the upper digestive tract and into the soft tissues of the neck just below the skin.

A rare case of a foreign body migration from the upper digestive tract to the subcutaneous neck

Ingested foreign bodies are not unusual in Singapore. The most common of these objects are fish bones, which typically become lodged in the tonsils or in the base of the tongue. We report a rare case of an ingested fish bone that migrated from the upper digestive tract and into the soft tissues of the neck just below the skin.

Otitis media with effusion: an update

Otitis media with effusion (OME) is a very common condition seen in children, and is the commonest cause of hearing loss in an infant. It is also a fairly common condition encountered by the family practitioner, and often the family practitioner is the first doctor the parents bring the child to. Otitis media with effusion is a simple condition but, if left undiagnosed or untreated, can lead to preventable long-term consequences. Hence, a high index of suspicion is necessary, early and accurate diagnosis, prompt treatment, with close follow-up is of essence. The epidemiology, aetiological factors, clinical presentations, diagnosis, various medical and surgical options, cost-effectiveness of therapy and the impact of OME on the child's development are discussed.

Nasal septal abscess: an unusual complication of acute spheno-ethmoiditis

Nasal septal abscess complicating acute sinusitis is rare. There have been very few reports in the literature of this condition. We present a 12-year old-male with a nasal septal abscess complicating acute pansinusitis.

Parapharyngeal space tumours: an 18 year review

Parapharyngeal space tumours account for only 0.5 per cent of all head and neck tumours. Due to their inherent location, they present with varied non-specific signs and symptoms, resulting in a delay in diagnosis and unnecessary procedures, such as a 'tonsillectomy' or 'incision and drainage' of a 'quinsy'. Thirty-one patients, operated on over an 18-year period (1981 to 1998), in the Department of Otolaryngology, Singapore General Hospital, are presented. Their ages ranged from 21 to 86 years, with a mean of 52 years, with equal sex distribution. The commonest aetiology was a deep lobe of parotid tumour (44 per cent), followed by neurilemmomas (18 per cent), there was only one paraganglioma. The transcervical and transparotid approaches were the commonest used. The mean surgical time was three hours, mean hospital stay was 5.3 days and post-operative complications were minimal. The average follow-up time was 5.6 years. Although parapharyngeal space tumours are uncommon, recognizing them would enable the correct sequence of investigations, instead of unnecessary procedures resulting in an increased morbidity for the patient.

Complete branchial fistula. Case report and review of the literature

Branchial anomalies, a result of aberrant embryonic development, are rarely seen in clinical practice. Lesions of the second branchial pouch commonly present as a neck lump or discharging sinus that may be complicated by infection. Clinical examination often reveals the lesion to be related to the junction of the upper two thirds and the lower one third of the sternocleidomastoid muscle. Branchial fistulas often present as a discharging sinus in the neck with the fistula tract extending upward within the deep neck tissue for a variable distance. A complete branchial fistula is one that has a defined internal opening in the tonsillar area and an external opening at the skin overlying the sternocleidomastoid muscle at the junction of the upper two thirds and the lower one third of the muscle. The incidence of such lesions is extremely rare. Surgical excision is the treatment of choice for branchial anomalies. We present the case of a patient who presented with a complete branchial fistula and discuss the clinical presentation and surgical management of such lesions, with a review of the relevant literature.

Amyloidoma of the nose in a pediatric patient: a case report

Localized amyloidosis in the head and neck is a rare and benign disease. Larynx is the most common site of involvement and accounts for 0.2% to 1.5% of benign laryngeal tumors. The oral cavity and pharynx may also be involved in localized amyloidosis of the head and neck. There are only 7 cases of localized nasopharyngeal amyloidosis, and 8 cases of localized nasal amyloidosis reported to date. Out of these 8 cases of nasal amyloidosis, only 1 of them is a pediatric patient. We present the second reported case of localized nasal amyloidosis in a pediatric patient. This case report describes a 10-year-old girl with a 1-year history of right-sided nasal obstruction and mucoid discharge. Examination revealed an irregular erythematous, waxy gray mass arising from the right inferior turbinate. Computed tomography and magnetic resonance imaging showed the mass arising from the inferior turbinates, whereas other investigations excluded systemic amyloidosis. Histology from surgical excision revealed amyloidosis. This case illustrates that although amyloidoma of the nose is rare, it should also be considered as part of the differentials of a nasal mass even in pediatric patients. [Editorial comment: These authors demonstrate that an index of suspicion and confirmation of that suspicion through biopsy and subsequent pathologic evaluations Maybe the only way to avoid missing this potentially important cause of nasal obstruction.]